SH F НАЖИВ CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers and Virtual Platform (Zoom)
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83639328548?pwd=ZUdDZE5|M2R1dHNFbVJoVX|BckdmQT09 CALIFORNA Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Salinas at 7:00 p.m. The City Council held a hybrid meeting in the Council Chambers and virtually via Zoom.
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Syrop
Present: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño MAYOR Salinas
Absent: None
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
The City Council convened in closed session on October 24, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., with all members present and no public speakers, regarding three items: 1) conference with legal counsel pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) regarding Mitchell Engineering, Inc. v.
City of Hayward, Alameda County Superior Court, Case No. 22CV011334; 2) conference with legal counsel pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) regarding City of Hayward v. County of Alameda, et al., Alameda County Superior Court, Case No. 23CV036712; and 3) conference with legal counsel pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (e) (3), 54957.5 regarding one matter of claim alleging damage to property at 30800 Faircliff Street, Hayward.
City Attorney Lawson reported that the Council discussed Items 1, 2, and 3 and took no reportable action but gave direction to staff related to Item 3. The closed session adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Salinas introduced Mary Thomas, Assistant to the City Manager, who announced the City of Hayward had accepted the Eden Area Regional Occupational Program Center's Business Partner of the Year Awards on behalf of a summer internship program around the Hayward Food Action Plan, acknowledged interns and presented certificates to those who were in attendance. Eden Area Regional Operational Programs (ROP) Superintendent Blaine Torpey and Hayward Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Jason Reimann spoke highly about the vision for an education city and the partnership among the three agencies in support of Hayward students and the community. Interns Melanie Perez, Sara Cruz Trejo and Emilio Rodriguez spoke about their internship experiences and thanked the three agencies for the opportunity.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ro Aguilar spoke about the Eden Village III project on Mohr Drive, presented to the Planning Commission on October 12, 2023, regarding a zoning change; advocated to require two low- income ownership houses and ten market rate ownership homes, emphasizing the importance of building affordable homeownership inventory; and urged the Council to let the developer know more is needed for Hayward residents.
Peggy Guernsey spoke favorably of Eden Area ROP; and urged Council to join Alameda County in installing red light cameras to help traffic enforcement.
Robert MacKay expressed that running redlights has been a concern in the Mission and Foothill Boulevard areas for many years, understood the City was reviewing traffic calming measures, and underscored that speeding was a major concern.
T) with Hayward Concerned Citizens supported comments in favor of installing red light cameras, added that Governor Newsom had approved a trial program in a few surrounding locations, requested that the City pay attention to the outcome indicating that perhaps the program could expand to Hayward if leaders advocated for it.
CITY MANGAGER'S COMMENTS
City Manager McAdoo made two announcements: 1) the City's draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) was available online for public review and feedback and noted a virtual CAP Community Workshop was scheduled for October 30, 2023; and 2) the Hayward Public Library in conjunction with the Hayward Promise Neighborhood's Promise Fest was presenting the annual Trunk or Treat event on October 28, 2023, at the Heritage Plaza.
CONSENT
1. Approve the Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting on October 10, 2023 MIN 23- 108
It was moved by Council Member Bonilla Jr., seconded by Council Member Goldstein, and carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting on October 10, 2023, with a minor edit as indicated on the memorandum.
2. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $265,000 in Grant Funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the Hayward Police Department CONS 23-526
Staff report submitted by Acting Police Chief Matthews, dated October 24, 2023, was filed.
It was moved by Council Member Bonilla Ir., seconded by Council Member Goldstein, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the resolution.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño
MAYOR Salinas
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
2|0clober 24. 2023
СТОГ НАЧИН CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers and Virtual Platform (Zoom)
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83639328548?pwd=ZUdDZE5IM2R1dHNFbVJoVX|BckdmQT09 CALIFORN Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Resolution 23-237, "Resolution Authorizing the City Manager Accept and Appropriate $265,000 in Grant Funding from the State of California Office of Traffic Safety for the Hayward Police Department"
3. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 4 to the Professional Services Agreement with Gray-Bowen-Scott for Transportation Engineering Services in the Amount of $99,000, for a Total Not-To-Exceed Amount of $369,000 and Extending the Termination Date to June 30, 2024 CONS 23-533 Staff report submitted by Public Works Director Ameri, dated October 24, 2023, was filed.
In response to Council Member Syrop's inquiry regarding vacancies in the Public Works Department and hiring strategies to fill the vacancies, City Manager McAdoo shared that the Transportation and Engineering Division had been among the most challenging to fill positions, noted two of the five vacancies were filled, and added staff continued to explore recruitment strategies.
It was moved by Council Member Bonilla Ir., seconded by Council Member Goldstein, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the resolution.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño
MAYOR Salinas
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Resolution 23-238, "Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 4 to the Professional Services Agreement with Gray Bowen-Scott for Transportation Engineering Services in the Amount ol $99,000, for a Total Not-To-Exceed Amount of $369,000, and Extending the Termination Date to June 30, 2024"
4. Adopt Resolutions Authorizing the City Manager to Execute First Amendments to the Professional Services Agreements with Willdan Engineering and SNG & Associates, Increasing the Agreements by $200,000 Annually for a Total Not-To-Exceed Amount of $350,000 Per Firm, for On-Call Construction Inspections Services for the Existing Term of the Agreements CONS 23-555
Staff report submitted by Public Works Director Ameri, dated October 24, 2023, was filed
It was moved by Council Member Bonilla Ir., seconded by Council Member Goldstein, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the resolutions.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño
MAYOR Salinas
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Resolution 23-239, "Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 1 Increasing the Professional Services Agreement with Willdan Engineering, by $200,000 Annually for a Total Not-To-Exceed Amount of $500,000 for the Existing Term of the Agreements" Resolution 23-240, "Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Amendment No. 1 Increasing the Professional Services Agreement with SNG & Associates, by $200,000 Annually for a Total Not- To-Exceed Amount of $500,000 for the Existing Term of the Agreements"
5. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $12,057 Received from Insurance Claims Reimbursements to be Used by the Hayward Fire Department to Replace Emergency Services Shelter Equipment CONS 23-557 Staff report submitted by Fire Chief Contreras, dated October 24, 2023, was filed.
Council Member Syrop was pleased that stolen emergency shelter equipment would be replaced and wondered if there would be improved security to prevent future thefts. City Manager McAdoo responded that the incident was a unique circumstance and the issue had been rectified.
It was moved by Council Member Bonilla Ir., seconded by Council Member Goldstein, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the resolution.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño
MAYOR Salinas
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
4|0dlober 24, 2023
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers and Virtual Platform (Zoom)
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83639328548?pwd=ZUdDZE5IM2R1dHNFbVJoVXJBckdmQT09 CALIFORNA Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Resolution 23-241, "Resolution to Authorize the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $12,057 Received from Insurance Claims
Reimbursements to be used by the Hayward Fire Department to Replace Emergency Services Shelter Equipment'
WORK SESSION
6. Hayward Food Action Plan: Review and Discuss Findings and Staff's Proposed Next Steps Regarding the Hayward Food Action Plan WS 23-041
Staff report submitted by Assistant City Manager Youngblood and Assistant City Manager Claussen, dated October 24, 2023, was filed.
Assistant City Manager Youngblood announced the item and introduced Assistant to the City Manager Thomas who along with Management Analyst Hwang provided a synopsis of the staff report.
Mayor Salinas opened the public comment section at 7:57 p.m.
Jason Toro, Chief Executive Officer of Tri-CED Community Recycling, noted that Tri-CED and additional partners developed a proposal to assist the City be a trailblazer in food recovery and in compliance with state regulations; and added that Tri-CED was the ideal partner to assume responsibility over the food recovery network that the Alameda County Deputy Sheriff's Activities Leagues (DSAL) had built, highlighting Tri-CED's years of experience, infrastructure in place to manage food recovery operations, and work with established community-based partners.
Hilary Bass, with the Alameda County Sheriff's Office overseeing DSAL, spoke about their initiatives related to food economy and second chance workforce development opportunities; noted that DSAL was looking to revert back to athletics programs and shift food system work to other partners such as Tri-CED; and noted that under Hayward's leadership investing in food recovery, DAL's current food recovery team could shift to Tri- CED's operations to comply with the current regulation, support small businesses and report back to the Council and the state on food recovery efforts.
Julio Contreras, Hayward resident, relayed his background with Hayward Community Gardens, advocated for a food policy council consisting of residents and collaborating organizations that could advise on future funding considerations ensuring an inclusive and equitable process, and urged the Council to work with institutions such as UC Berkeley Department of Agriculture's Cooperative Extension program.
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) Director Lamnin commended the partnerships and collaboration related to the Hayward Food Action Plan acknowledging the community expertise; expressed the need for further conversations and collaboration related to changes in DSAL and Alameda County All in Eats; shared that StopWaste had a mechanism to convene food recovery conversations; and urged the City and HARD to be a part of the conversations.
Etsub Senshaw, Alameda County DSAL Food Recovery Manager, shared information about DSAL's work related to food recovered and redistributed into the community, organizations institutions, and local businesses; noted DSAL created a circular food economy and tackled the climate change crisis; expressed that food recovery programs helped with reduction of crime rates; and underscored the need for continued funding.
Yenifer Hernandez, Hayward resident and Feed Hayward member, requested that the Council allocate funding for initiatives and priorities presented by the community such as ensuring food recovery and distribution resources, providing access to healthy and affordable foods, and funding and creating opportunities to grow and sell local produce such as supporting the South Hayward Farmers Market.
Mayor Salinas closed the public comment section at 8:15 p.m.
Members of the City Council thanked staff for the presentation; and commended the partnership and collaboration among City staff and community partners during the pandemic.
Discussion ensued among members of the City Council and City staff regarding: imperfect produce that were not purchased or used would be eligible for the food recovery program; state law requires businesses that create food to determine how to recover unused food and get it to individuals who could use it; the Learn & Earn internship was advertised through participating organizations (Hayward Unified School District and Eden Area ROP); the Hayward Youth Commission was made aware of the program; all grocery stores including newly proposed stores would need to fulfill the requirements to find locations to distribute their food; a refresher on SB 1383 could be presented to Council during the Climate Action Plan update; a business plan to operate an Entrepreneurship Hub would cost approximately $40,000 and would be used to apply for capital funding grants; and Meals on Wheels had participated in the Food Action Plan and was among one of the main participants delivering directly to homes.
Council Member Zermeño recommended to consider planting fruit trees in areas that would not pose a liability to the City; concurred that the City continue to take a leadership role in the proposed nine actions related to food system work; supported working with StopWaste and Tri-CED and fulfilling SB 1383 requirements.
Council Member Andrews stated that if a food hall was being shared and the seats split, then this could result in an issue with food not being recovered, noting that there could be many vendors in the food hall and a fewer number of seats available; suggested to explore a connection and synergy between the sidewalk vending program and the food recovery program; stated the pandemic exposed how fragile the systems in place are and noted it was 6 Oclober 24. 2023
SHOT HA VH CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
ATA Council Chambers and Virtual Platform (Zoom)
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83639328548?pwd=ZUdDZE5IM2R1dHNFbVJoVX|BckdmQT09 CALIFORNR Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
promising to know long-term solutions were being considered to address food insecurity and help residents.
Council Member Roche suggested a food dispatch center and also a clearing house webpage of all food providers, in collaboration with community partners, that could provide information on how to access food along with the food distribution map; supported joint efforts to share resources such as Feed Hayward's commitment to host meetings and suggested that one of the meetings could explore how to create a centralized location for Hayward; suggested exploring ghost retrigeration warehouse at strategic locations to address problems experienced by ghost kitchens; encouraged people interested in teaching others how to grow a garden coordinate with HUSD and HARD for collaboration in finding space to grow food; requested a refresher on the City's responsibility related to SB 1383; agreed with five of the nine activities covered by existing funding sources and highlighted the South Hayward farmer's market and Seed Lending Library programs; stated the Hazel Community Garden would be a great resource for the anticipated dense housing in the area and supported continuing its lease; and noted that while she liked the idea of an entrepreneurship hub at the Stack Center, she thought this could wait until the Stack Center is built.
Council Member Syrop expressed agreement with the activities currently funded and the request to fund the additional projects; disclosed that Feed Hayward is a group that he helped organize and noted his involvement did not represent a conflict of interest; concurred with Council Member Roche that a food dispatch center made sense; noted a food resource page indicated that there needs to be collaboration between what food organizations are doing and the information provided; suggested exploring community refrigerators at the industrial level as this may help food pantries and providers; agreed that school gardens need to be activated and noted that the work done by Feed Hayward to renovate the community garden at the Eden Youth and Family Center could be replicated in other schools; and noted that by moving forward with the contract with DAL, Daily Bowl and Tri-CED the City could support small businesses and get ready to have the infrastructure in place to receive SB 1383.
Council Member Bonilla Jr., agreed with finding a mechanism to continue sustaining the partnerships and collaboration that had been created to find joint solutions and help determine where the food needs to be delivered and what partners needed to be involved; referenced the Silicon Valley Food Recovery Program and Food Recovery Council as successful models:
encouraged the community to read the Hayward Food Action Plan; supported continuing the community lease for Hazel Garden; stated that entrepreneurial support for small businesses should include street vending and support for individuals attempting to navigate the newly enacted Sidewalk Vending Ordinance; supported the proposed funds to create a business plan to build and operate an entrepreneurship hub; recommended encouraging and incentivizing bringing a Farmers Market to South Hayward; supported a refresher on SB 1383 requirements and asked to consider funding the $300,000 with grants such as through CalRecycle; asked to continue to work with the community and partners to ensure that the proposed is the most appropriate model for Hayward; recommended doubling the allocation ($18,000) toward the Learn & Earn Summer internship for HUSD students; recommended having the emergency planning for food distribution during a disaster adopted sooner than later in 2024; and supported the five activities covered through existing funding sources and bringing back the remaining four unfunded activities when other adjustments were being considered to the budget during mid-year or fiscal process for 2025.
Council Member Goldstein underscored the proposal touched aspects of quality of life issues in Hayward such as job re-entry, earn while you learn, sustainability and climate action, food security, and entrepreneurship; encouraged staff to explore ways for residents to participate in gleaning; wondered if Tri-CED would be able to participate in food pick up at local residences since they are picking up and distributing food; suggested staff connect with the organization that started a farm community at the Alameda County Fairgrounds; commented that food dispatch and shared refrigeration would be two issues that need to be addressed and suggested that staff check with the HVAC union for a possible collaboration related to food refrigeration; and voiced his support for a South Hayward Farmer's Market.
Mayor Salinas suggested that staff consider including a chapter on the history of food distribution in Hayward as there have been early pioneers on this front; stated that the pandemic revealed the intensity of food insecurity; shared that the City had a highly coordinated response, exemplifying the food distribution work done by the Hayward Promise Neighborhood, HUSD, the Library, Tiburcio Vasquez and La Familia; underscored that the infrastructure was in place, but the report demonstrated there was a need for a more sophisticated food dispatch center and an agency to house it; noted that refrigeration of food had always been a barrier; supported continuing with programs that were funded and already underway and noted the four unfunded programs were viable; indicated that the Learn and Earn Summer Internship program was an example of what the City strived to achieve and supported ramping up its funding; commented that DSAL, Daily Bowl, and Tri-CED had been successful local partners in food recovery; and stated that there were many partners and the shared costs would have a lower financial impact to them if there was coordinated collaboration such as through a food policy council focusing on sustainability.
Council Member Zermeño shared that the City receives Measure D funds from StopWaste and this may be a good source of funding for some programs.
Council Member Andrews noted the food access page had the information presented and shared that some updates were needed as food distribution information was coming up under the food access page.
7. Police Community Advisory Panel Recommendations: Review and Discuss Community Services Commission and Community Advisory Panel Ad Hoc Committee's Recommendations for Changes to the Police Community Advisory Panel WS 23-038 Staff report submitted by Assistant City Manager Youngblood and Acting Police Chief Matthews, dated October 24, 2023, was filed. 8|Oclober 24. 2023
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers and Virtual Platform (Zoom)
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83639328548?pwd=ZUdDZE5IM2R1dHNFbVJoVXJBckdmQT09 CALIFORNR Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
City Manager McAdoo introduced Community Services Manager Cole-Bloom who provided a synopsis of the staff report.
Mayor Salinas opened the public comment section at 9:05 p.m.
Calvin Wong, Community Services Commissioner, supported the Community Services Commission (CSC) recommendations for changes to the Police Community Advisory Panel (CAP), and urged the Council to take actions towards creating a formal body with independent oversight over law enforcement in Hayward.
TJ, with Hayward Concerned Citizens, expressed concern about potential bias in the CSC and CAP based on recent history noting intentions to unify the community were replaced with redefining public safety; noted the body representing the community and CAP should represent race and age diversity, business owners, mixed beliefs related to the Hayward Police Department (HPD); and suggested increasing surveys to better measure community trust, hold hybrid CAP meetings to promote transparency, and review good outcomes as well as areas of improvement.
Jesse Gunn, Community Services Commissioner, supported the CSC recommendations and requested that Council consider adopting them; expressed that CAP had not fully met its intended goals and was concerned about any efforts that may remove community involvement as it was crucial for community members to continue to play an advisory role in public safety; and stated that while there was interest among CSC members to continue the work, he asked Council to set a roadmap to achieving oversight.
Tyne Johnson, Community Services Commissioner, expressed support that the CAP be a Brown Act meeting body; highlighted incidents involving community members being assaulted by police officers; noted that while she supported CSC recommendations, she believed there was a need for greater oversight with a mechanism for receiving feedback/complaints, making recommendations to the City Manager, and creating and implementing an annual work plan including a community outreach plan.
Austin Bruckner-Carrillo, Community Services Commission Chair, urged the Council to approve the CSC recommended reforms to the CAP, indicating they were balanced, sought to align the CAP with other City commissions regarding transparency, took into consideration the need to recruit candidates with lived experiences and diverse backgrounds, and established a transparent interview process for the CAP.
Mayor Salinas closed the public comment section at 9:19 p.m.
Discussion ensued among members of the City Council and City staff regarding a comprehensive background on the CAP formation and its purpose which was to create a bridge between the Police Department and community groups; Police oversight from the City's organizational structure, at the county level by the Alameda County District Attorney's Office and Department of Justice, on a voluntary basis through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditation process, at the state level through Senate Bill 2 by increasing accountability for misconduct of police officers and a decertification process; the purpose of the CAP in its current role and communications with the Police Department; lack of input by CAP members on the topic and CAP membership; the role of the Council Infrastructure Committee (CIC); the 2020 citywide public safety survey, CSC recommendations and Hayward Community Coalition (HayCoCoa) recommendations; and the role of a Council Public Safety Committee related to an officer involved shooting incident.
Members of the City Council thanked staff, CSC members, and community members for the work, feedback, advocacy, and continued support related to the matter.
Council Member Bonilla Jr., proposed forming a new permanent Council Public Safety Committee formed in accordance with all other Council Committees, made up of three members of the Council appointed by the Mayor, accountable to uphold the Brown Act and public transparency requiring to agendize their meetings with public input; stated the scope of the Committee should include at a minimum citywide public safety oversight including Fire, Hayward Evaluation and Response Team (HEART) and Mobile Integrated Health Unit (MIHU) programs, Police, public safety communications, ambulance services, emergency preparedness, and public safety facilities; and urged the Council to direct staff to bring back a recommendation to form a Council Committee with a clearly defined purpose and meeting schedule.
Council Member Goldstein favored making progress on the issues identified by speakers during the public comment period, stating the proper manner of achieving it was not by installing another layer of bureaucracy, noted the job of the Council was to hold departments accountable and supported Council Member Bonilla Jr.'s recommendation.
Council Member Roche shared that she served on the Community Advisory Panel Ad Hoc Committee and the outcome of the Committee had been overwritten by a new recommendation from the CSC; clarified that the CAP was never under the CSC purview and its members were not obligated to attend Ad Hoc Committee meetings, and the CAP never met as a body to weigh in on the recommendations; stated that members of the CSC were appointed to make funding recommendations for nonprofit organizations and believed that the proposal was misaligned and beyond the CSC mission; added that since the recommendations had changed, she was interested in Council Member Bonilla Jr.'s recommendation agreeing that over half of the General Fund goes towards public safety and the approach would address the concerns raised related to transparency and around public safety oversight; and added that as an alternative she was in support of staff's recommendations for the CAP.
Council Member Syrop stated he agreed with the CSC recommendations but it should be applied to the creation of a new body separate from the CAP noting the CAP should be suspended and the new body should address the areas listed by Council Member Bonilla Jr.; noted there was a need for a body to be accountable to the public, residents and Council instead of answering directly to the Police Chief; liked the recommendation by Council Member Bonilla 10| Oclober 24. 2023
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers and Virtual Platform (Zoom)
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83639328548?pwd=ZUdDZE5|M2R1dHNFbVJoVX]BckdmQT09 CALIFORNA Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Jr. that public safety is larger than just law enforcement indicating that 67 percent of the General Fund goes towards public safety roles primarily including the Police and Fire departments and made sense for them to report to a commission/committee; added that if he were to move forward with the Council Committee suggestion, he would want a role for residents beyond public comment, and suggested consideration for the appointment of commissioners/advisors who could contribute to the decision making, otherwise he would recommend that the CSC's recommendation be applied to a public safety commission instead; and stated that resident participation was critical in formal recommendations regarding public safety topics through either a public safety commission or council committee.
In response to Council Member Andrews' inquiry as to the lack of input by CAP members, it was noted that CAP Member Georgette Munoz had a conflict and could not attend the Council meeting and had tried to submit a comment and CAP Member Sara Prada had provided comment during the recommendations.
Council Member Andrews expressed concern that there was no CAP member to speak on a matter at the meeting; suggested that in the future, staff ensure more balanced participation from advisory bodies when forming ad hoc committees and specially engaging voices of bodies in charge of the subject matter; added that there needs to be contingency plans in place when advisory bodies are not meeting and not functioning well; requested that the role of the Council Infrastructure Committee (CIC) be revisited as there were police related items that come before the CIC and there may be some duplication of efforts if a new committee is formed; wanted to ensure there is more transparency on how the Police Department is reviewed and acknowledged the work the City had done emphasizing that mental health support was added as a result of the activism from HayCoCoa and CSC; added that county and state entities were also involved in reviewing officer involved shooting cases; was in support of new body but not another rubber stamped committee and emphasized the issue of holding officers accountable was above the CAP; favored a hybrid approach having a Public Safety Committee and more transparency through CAP member involvement; expressed that decisions were being made impacting a body that was not present to hear the issues or how they should be structured; and agreed that there was a need for more transparency, stability in addressing cases, consistency and accountability.
In response to Council Member Zermeño's inquiry on initial thoughts about creating a Public Safety Committee, Acting Police Chief Matthews stated he was pleased to bring forward items requested by Council relating to public safety.
Council Member Zermeño indicated that the work done through CALEA was good; wanted residents to know the Council valued transparency and honesty and residents who feel harmed or slighted by police officers could come forward with their concerns; noted that public safety extended beyond police officers and included roadways, firefighter and ambulance services; favored a committee that would look at all aspects of public safety, be inclusive and involved with current matters such as the new police department building, CALEA trainings and knowledgeable about crime and incidents with homeless individuals; and supported Council Member Bonilla Jr.'s proposal as it was inclusive of all public safety, transparent, and did not think there would be a need for the CAP.
Council Member Bonilla Jr. noted that if Hayward residents voted the City Council to provide a safe community, accountability had to sit with the Council, and the Council needed to find a way to drive deeper levels of accountability and the Council Public Safety Committee would enable the discussion; noted that officer involved shooting incidents happened once or twice a year and there were other public safety issues that needed to be considered including response times for public safety, quality of ambulance services, aftermath of an earthquake; recommended that the Council Airport Committee fold into the Council Infrastructure Committee and their scope clarified, form a new Public Safety Committee, and sunset the CAP; stressed that the power sits with the City Council to ensure that the City is meeting the priorities of its residents; and urged the Council to direct staff to come back with the formation of a committee with a clear purpose, charter and meeting schedule.
In response to Council Member Bonilla Jr.'s request for the Fire Chief to speak on the matter, Fire Chief Contreras agreed that the proposed committee would be a wonderful opportunity to share the projects, priorities, successes, and challenges faced by his department, and in partnership with the Police Department and other city departments.
Mayor Salinas commented that there were many levels of accountability ranging from local, county, to state noting that the Acting Police Chief had outlined approximately nine layers of accountability in addition to the CALEA accreditation; stated that the Council had implemented different regulations and policies in order to increase accountability, underscoring that many public policies and actions resulted from public advocacy; emphasized that the City was transparent with all of the layers of oversight, which included community, Council, and media input; noted that when the CAP was formed the Council had been lobbied, pressured, advocated via public comments requesting an advisory panel to the Chief of Police, and this was accomplished through a process that included specific input from advocates; noted that it seemed the direction of the new committee went against the original intent of what was sought through the CAP, which was accountability and honest discourse with the Chief of Police, City Manager, and Mayor; emphasized a role clarification indicating that the Chief of Police was accountable to the City Manager and the City Manager accountable to the City Council; supported Council Member Bonilla Jr's proposal expressing that multiple community surveys indicated that the number one issue was always crime and safety; stated that the relationship between the City of Hayward and the Police Department has involved trust; stressed that if the community was asking to make public safety a priority, a strategic initiative, and goal setting, it merits that there be a Council Public Safety Committee and agreed that its mission, scope, and role be clear and focused; supported collapsing the Council Airport Committee into the Council 12|Oclober 24. 2023
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers and Virtual Platform (Zoom)
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83639328548?pwd=ZUdDZE5IM2R1dHNFbVJoVX]BckdmQT09 CALIFORN A Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 7:00 p.m.
Infrastructure Committee; agreed with Council Members Andrews that committees have to be thoughtful, intentional and deliberate; and shared that the City and the Police Department were encouraging of receiving input from the community.
City Manager McAdoo indicated that staff would return to a future Council meeting with proposals and policy questions for the Council to consider.
Council Member Syrop shared that in the most recent community survey, homelessness, cost of living, and graffiti were top issues, with crime being next.
Council Member Goldstein thanked CSC members for their work; underscored that they had been heard, noting that their primary interest in seeing transparency and accountability in public safety had carried; added there was resounding support for these ideals and the only issue was how to accomplish it; and stated that Council would not abdicate its job and would do it.
There being no opposition and due to the lateness of the meeting, Mayor Salinas indicated that the Legislative Business Item 8 would continue to the November 7, 2023, Council meeting.
LEGISLATIVE BUISNESS
8. Council Member Handbook: Adopt a Resolution Approving Modifications and Edits to the Council Member Handbook LB 23-039
The item was continued to the November 7, 2023, Council meeting.
COUNCIL REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Andrews shared the Keep Hayward Clean and Green Task Force Beautification Event would be on October 28, 2023, at Tennyson Park, and added that residents could attend the annual Trunk or Treat event at the Heritage Plaza in the afternoon.
Council Member Syrop encouraged the public to report dead birds to mosquitoes.org as the county was in West Nile Virus season.
COUNCIL REFERRAL
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Salinas adjourned the City Council meeting at 10:39 p.m., in memory of Kawchalani Carreon, a bright student at Hayward High School.
APPROVED
ML LY
Mark Salinas
Mayor, City of Hayward
ATTEST:
Miriam Lens
City Clerk, City of Hayward
14| Oclober 24, 2023